§ Lord Pattenasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the maximum percentage of those serving on a National Health Service Trust from any one political party that is desirable. [HL1752]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)The guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments makes clear that political activity, affiliation or balance should not be used as criteria for appointment to public bodies, except where there is a statutory requirement to that effect or in the limited instances where the nature of the public body makes it important that individual political parties are represented. Neither condition applies in relation to appointments to National Health Service trusts.